Better Than Burroughs

AN: POV's are labeled clearly when they change. The only POV's I'll be doing are that of Marina's and Callum's. Enjoy!

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Two Years Later

Marina


“He asked you to move in? Are you serious?” Emma asks me as we wander through Victoria’s Secret, Emma’s eyes getting wider with every word she says.

“Well, he didn’t actually ask, he kind of just said I should,” I mutter, remembering the night before. Stopping in front of a low table covered with tiny thongs, doubting that I could possibly pull any of them off while staying comfortable, I face my best friend.

“What made him say that? I mean, not that he’s not a great guy, but I just never thought he was ready for that,” Emma says as she picks up a light blue thong and checks the tag.

I lean against the table and cross my arms, “We were sort of fighting and I think he may have said it just to distract me.”

“About?”

“I don’t even know. You know how he is. I say one thing and he gets so defensive. I just barely see him. He works all the time and when he’s not working, he’s busy with something else. If I move in at least I’d see him,” I say with a shrug while picking at my nails, not knowing what I should do. It used to be so much fun and now I’m at a loss for what to do. We just don’t have fun anymore.

“Hun, I don’t know what to tell you,” Emma sighs, bringing her hand up to rub my upper arm. “You shouldn’t move in unless you think it’s right.”

I nod even though Emma didn’t really tell me anything that I didn’t already know. I don’t want to move in unless he really wants me to move in. I feel like he just asked in order to shut me up. Remembering back to when I met him, I realize how much I miss that side of him. We’ve been together now for two years and I feel like I know Felix even less.

“Let’s get you some lingerie,” Emma announces, holding up a red corset.

Callum

“Congratulations,” I say, putting as much meaning into it as I can, even patting his effing back.

“Yeah, it’ll make her happy and it’ll be great living with her. Marina’s a sweetheart,” Felix says, handing me a beer. I take it and sit down on his couch, watching him flip through channels. Guess I won’t be comin’ round here any more. Perhaps I’m projecting, but fuck if I can imagine her actually living here. This place is a bloody add for materialism. I glance around the living room and my eyes fall on a few framed pictures on the wall. A few of the three of us, with Felix always in the middle, and one of just them. I can hardly stand to be around the two of them. It makes me sick. I know what she must think and I really think that it’s for the best. I can hardly stand to be in the same damn room with her let alone be friendly with her, knowing full well that Felix got to her first. Knowing full well that I can’t fucking touch her and that he can.

Suddenly not in the mood for casual TV viewing, I stand up and set my untouched beer down on the coffee table. Walking to the front door, I grab my jacket off the coat rack and pull it on.

“Where you goin’ man?”

I open the door and leave without answering.

Marina

A week later and I have officially moved in with Felix. I wasn’t sure about it, but he insisted. Digging into my pocket, I find the key and unlock the apartment door, flipping the light on as I walk in. Dropping my purse on the floor, I shut the door and head straight for the bedroom. Setting down the Victoria’s Secret bag, I reach in and pull out the red lingerie. I had completely forgotten about this stuff, leaving it in the trunk of my car after that shopping trip with Emma. When I noticed it in there, I decided to seduce Felix. I’ve never actually tried to be sexy, having really no idea how to go about it, but I’m hell bent on trying. I’m looking forward to the look on Felix’s face when he sees me.

Glancing at the clock by the bed, I have an hour before he gets home from work. Quickly undressing, I put on the deep red lace bra and matching bottoms. Pulling the garters on, I clip them and stand back in front of the mirror. Smiling, I unclip my hair and fluff it out. I have to admit, I look pretty damn good. I twist and turn, running my hands down my stomach and hips, and stare at myself in the mirror. In all honesty, I think all women should have a good appreciative stare in the mirror. I love my body and I don’t think I would be able to consciously change anything about it. Well, maybe a couple things. I’d be lying if I said nothing.

I finish with the mirror and walk into the living room, sitting down on the black leather couch and wait, getting more and more excited with each passing second. Glancing around the apartment, I can’t believe that Felix can afford this place or all of the things he owns. His job at the advertising agency pays well, but not this well. The second something comes out, he just has to own it. He has all the latest stereo systems and television sets, game systems and cameras. Everything is a silver color, making the entire apartment seem a little cold. Not owning much, it’s not really obvious that two people live here. Most of my stuff was never moved out of my parents’ house in the first place, so the only thing I really moved in was clothing and books.

Remembering how we met, I smile. He was so damn cute that day at the café, sitting with Callum, and he was so focused on getting me to go out with him. It didn’t take him very long. Callum was the Callum I grew to know, surly and antisocial. I don’t think he said more than two words to me. Maybe only one. In the beginning I was attracted to him more than Felix. Callum had that whole tall, dark, and handsome thing going for him, and the accent was an added bonus. He really seemed interested at first, but he never acted that way again. He made it clear that he was not interested pretty quickly, which made it a whole lot easier to forget about him completely and concentrate on Felix.

Resting my head against the back of the couch, I let my eyes slide shut and wait. Feeling suddenly exhausted from work. I’ve been seriously thinking about quitting, hating the job and the people I work with and for. I don’t know what I would do with myself, but I’m miserable there. I’m twenty two and I need to find a job more substantial. I can’t beautify dogs forever. They just don’t pay me enough.

Feeling myself doze off, I try to fight it, but soon can’t any longer.

I’m brought awake by the sound of the door opening and shutting. Lifting my head, I smile when I see Felix slide off his jacket and throw it over the kitchen chair. His dirty blond hair mussed up and falling over his eyes. Looking at the cable box, I see that he’s an hour and a half late. Wondering what took him so long, I stand up from the couch and stretch, raising my arms over my head.

He heads straight for the kitchen and I follow him in, wrapping my arms around his waist hugging him from the back. He smells strongly of roses and I almost sneeze from the intense odor.

“Where have you been?” I ask, moving around to stand beside him as he grabs a bottle of water from the refrigerator. He’s barely even looked at me since he walked in, actually I don’t think he’s looked at me at all. I glance down and remember my plan, although I have to admit that I’m not really in the mood anymore. I was so excited and than I fell asleep and now he hasn’t even looked at me. How could he not notice that I am in lingerie?

“Had to work late,” Felix says, tipping his head back and bringing the water bottle to his lips.

He works late every night, I want to point it out but I don’t. He yawns and sets the bottle down, “I’m gonna take a shower and get to bed.”

I feel like smacking him for not saying anything about my outfit. So much for seducing him, “Okay.”

He turns towards me with a smile, hugging me quickly, “You look nice, I’ll sex you up tomorrow. Promise.” He says it so offhandedly that it does not make me feel good at all. I mutter an okay and watch him disappear into the bedroom. I am getting so damn tired of his disinterest. Maybe Em is right, maybe I just don’t belong with Felix. Suddenly I feel like I just need to get out of the apartment, I do not want to sleep in the same bed as him tonight. I can’t bring myself to go in the bedroom.

Walking to the coat rack, I grab my long black coat and pull it on, buttoning it all the way up. It falls to my knees and the collar is high, making me feel like a private detective, which is why I bought it. I pull on an old pair of slip-on Vans, not caring that the black and white checks don’t exactly carry the private dick image. I slip out the door without making any noise.

Callum

“No problem, write down your name and number. I’ll give you a call if I find one,” I hand the short woman a notepad and a pen. I watch her write down her info, I’m not going to find a first edition copy of The Hobbit. I’m not going to fucking try, it wouldn’t be worth the effort. When she finishes, she turns and leaves. As soon as she’s out the door, I rip the paper off of the pad and toss it in the garbage.

Groaning, I stretch my arms over my head and glance at my watch. Time to close. Thank fuck. I stayed open longer than needed and that damn woman just would not get out, walking around and buying absolutely fuck all.

Moving to the door, I flip the sign to closed and lock the door, closing the blinds. The second the blinds shut, someone knocks on the door. I swear to Buddha if it’s that woman, I’ll fucking kill her. Opening the blinds, I immediately shut them again when I see who it is. Rubbing my eyes, I don’t think I can get away with going upstairs, she saw me.

Sighing, I unlock the door and swing it open, “What’s up?”

Marina brushes past me with an amazing amount of authority. She constantly surprises me. No matter how I treat the bird, she doesn’t let it get to her. I hate her for impressing me continually.

Fuck she looks good. Bare legs make my brain run wild, imagining her body nude underneath. What in bleedin’ hell is she doin’ here this late, and without Felix? I have to avert my gaze. If I look at her for too long, my body will respond and she’d have to be blind not to notice. She wraps her arms around herself, giving the impression that something is wrong. I don’t ask.

Closing the door, I relock it and lean against it, waiting for her to explain herself. Take the offensive, my usual stance when she’s around. With my eyes at the ground, I notice her dirty shoes and I want to kiss her. She doesn’t say anything, instead she just wanders into the next room. Sighing, I wonder how long she’s planning on being here, and follow after her.

Leaning against a bookshelf, I stuff my hands in my jeans pockets and clear my throat, “What are you doing here Mare?”

“Couldn’t sleep,” she says. Her voice is low and I don’t believe her. She must find me a moron. She pulls a book off the shelf and turns around, holding it up, “Can I get this?”

“Closed,” I ignore the look she gives me and turn back to the counter. Collecting the cash from the register, I zip it up in the folder and lock the register. A book drops on to the counter in front of me and Naked Lunch stares up at me from the cover. What the hell is this woman doing? She is a complete mind fuck. I breathe in deeply and pick the book up, looking at her. She stares at me and I sense a challenge.

“Just sell me the book Callum,” she sighs and I grin.

“Money?”

She looks down at her empty hands and her shoulders slump forward, “I forgot my purse.”

I nod my head and weigh my options. Deciding to just give it to her, hoping she’ll leave, I hand the book over. She takes it and smiles so beautifully that I can’t look away. Sodding fuck. She holds the book close to her chest, pressed into the overcoat, and I want to hold her. “Is that it than?”

She takes her full lower lip between her teeth and I’m glad for the counter between us. She just stands there for a few seconds before asking, “Would you mind if I stick around for a bit?”

I can’t help being taken aback. She’s never just flat-out asked me for anything before. Something just won’t let me turn her away. I’m about to make an arse of myself. I take a few steps back until I hit the stairs, moving my hand to the light switch. I nod my head and she takes it as acceptance. Smiling she walks around the counter and squeezes by me to move up the stairs towards my apartment. I flip the switch and the store is sent into darkness.

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AN: If any mistakes were found, please let me know. I still feel like this story hasn't found it's footing yet and I hope that in the next few chapters I will be able to get it to were I want it. I really need to have Marina's character come through, as well as Callum's. Please review and give any and all thoughts. Thank you for reading!

With Writing Class, I listed all the books/movies/music that was mentioned, but I'm not going to with this story. If anyone wants to know what something is, just ask and I'll get it back to you.